Player Duels: Thierry Henry V Dennis Bergkamp

Barney Corkhill begins a brand new series here on Bleacher Report called Player Duels. In this series he will compare two players, giving readers the chance to vote on who they think was the best. If everyone who reads this could vote it would be much appreciated.

I start with Thierry Henry v Dennis Bergkamp, two modern day Arsenal legends. This could also be for the unofficial title of greatest Arsenal striker of all time (or even greatest Arsenal player if all time!).

I'll start by looking at the va va voom of Thierry Henry.

Thierry Henry

When he arrived at Highbury he was a better than average winger from Juventus. When he left he was one of the world's greatest strikers. Not only a great goal-scorer, but a scorer of great goals, Henry broke record after record during his time with the Gunners.

His total club career stats come up to 280 goals in 573 appearances. He has won 102 caps for France and scored 45 goals for them.

Henry won the European Golden Boot in 2004 and 2005, was the Premier League's top scorer in 2001-02, 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06. He is also a two time PFA Players' Player of the Year winner and six time member of the PFA Team of the Year.

His electric pace and lethal finishing made him a terror for defences and he scored goals ranging from tap-ins, to spectacular volleys and breathtaking runs. More often than not, however, it was the latter. He scored a number of goals that will live long in the memory of many fans (the flick and volley v Man U or the back heel v Charlton).

Dennis Bergkamp

Dutch football at it's best. Pure class, Bergkamp was one of the most intelligent players to ever grace the Premier League. He had already established himself as a talented striker before he moved to Highbury, but he progressed even more while at the London club. Again, he was just pure class, making the hardest things look so easy.

His total club career stats come up to 243 goals in 669 appearances. He also won 76 caps for Netherlands, scoring 37 goals.

This may not seem as good as Henry's but Bergkamp brought so much more to the team than just goals. After all, he is the highest assist maker in Premier League history. He did, however, score a fair few goals, some of the very highest quality. His goals against Newcastle and Leicester have each won Goal of the Season awards, and his goal for Holland against Argentina is widely regarded as one of the best ever.

So, ladies and gentlemen, who is your pick? Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp?

Click here to see more duels by this author.